35+ Ideas for Christmas Dinner other than Turkey

10 min. reading

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Christmas dinner is a big event for many families. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the joys of Christmas. Having a different Christmas menu each year is ideal, but the staples must be present. It’s always nice to have different ideas for Christmas dinner other than turkey. Find some easy Christmas dinner menu inspiration here

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Christmas dinner is a joyous event for many families and it has been around for many centuries. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the joys of Christmas. Many families will have Christmas Eve dinner. The traditional Christmas menu includes a wide variety of dishes. The menu can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be, but there are some Christmas dishes that are staples every year.

Some people spend weeks planning their Christmas menu, while others take the easy route and order take-out from their favorite restaurant. There are many different ways to plan your family Christmas dinner menu, with each one having their own benefits and drawbacks.

The following are some suggestions on what you can have on your Christmas dinner menu if you decide to host the feast.

Unique Christmas dinner ideas

Turkey is not the only option for Christmas dinner. Traditional dishes like ham, chicken, or duck can be substituted for turkey. A ham is a great alternative to turkey for those who don't eat red meat or want something different than the traditional Christmas dinner meal. Ham is also easier to prepare than turkey because it doesn't require stuffing or basting. If you are looking to switch it up with a new dish, try some of these options.

Christmas dinner with chicken

Chicken Tikka Masala

Is chicken tikka masala very spicy? Will it be okay to serve for Christmas dinner? Well, it is one of the less spicy dishes you will find in Indian cuisine, but that doesn’t mean it is devoid of flavour. Pair it with basmati rice, or cauliflower rice and sauteed broccolini for a perfect meal.

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Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala
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Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala

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. Make this iconic curry at home!!! It's a stunner - and although there's an extensive looking list of ingredients, it's astonishingly straight forward. Far better than paste in a jar, less oily than restaurants, and you can get everything you need from s

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Creamy chicken pasta

How do you make good, tasty pasta? Try this recipe. It is one that will definitely be a hit for your Christmas dinner this year. Creamy chicken pasta goes well with a salad and bread.

Creamy Chicken Pasta of your Dreams!
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Creamy Chicken Pasta of your Dreams!

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A creamy chicken Alfredo with sun dried tomato, spinach and bacon, you'll love how the shredded chicken acts like a mop for the luxurious Alfredo sauce!

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Slow cooked butter chicken

Served with naan bread, cauliflower or Thai rice, slow cooked butter chicken is a real treat. Enjoy a sweet Christmas dessert afterwards, something like a brownie cheesecake or a cake and berry cobbler afterwards.

Easy slow cooked butter chicken
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Easy slow cooked butter chicken

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Make this Slow Cooker Butter Chicken for a flavorful dinner that your whole family will love! It’s deliciously spiced (but not hot spicy!), super creamy, comforting, and the chicken is so tender and juicy!

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Japanese chicken curry

Japanese curry differs significantly from most other curries in the world because it has a thicker consistency and a sweet and savoury flavour profile. Onions, carrots, and other ingredients like honey and grated apple add a unique sweetness to the dish. Your Christmas dinner guests will surely enjoy this one. 

The best Chicken japanese curry recipe
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The best Chicken japanese curry recipe

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Curry (カレー) is a very popular dish in Japan and the rest of Asia. It was introduced into Japanese cuisine through British cuisine when India was under British rule. This chicken curry recipe is the best you ever tried. Prepare it at home!

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Korean fried chicken

The glaze used to season Korean fried chicken has a sweetened spicy flavour with hints of garlic, ginger, and onion. Eat it with cucumber salad, Christmas potatoes, and a flavourful Christmas cocktail.

Original Korean fried chicken recipe
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Original Korean fried chicken recipe

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Korean fried chicken is tastier for several reasons: it is fried twice, it is very crispy on the outside but soft and succulent on the inside, it is seasoned for a few hours with some Asian spices and sauces, batter is special and the sauce is unique.

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Christmas dinner with lamb

Baked lamb chops

Baked lamb chops with creamy mashed sweet potatoes or creamy potato salad are a combination made in heaven! Add a simple chickpea salad and you’re done.

Baked lamb chops easy recipe
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Baked lamb chops easy recipe

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These baked lamb chops are very easy to make, very juicy and tasty. They are also ideal for parties, get-togethers with friends and even for Christmas.

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Roast lamb shanks

Roast lamb shanks, Arabic tabbouleh, pita bread and couscous make a yummy Christmas dinner. Try it this year.

The most delicious homemade roast lamb shanks recipe
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The most delicious homemade roast lamb shanks recipe

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One of the most typical Christmas dishes is roasted lamb shanks, almost always accompanied by roast potatoes. This is a recipe for cooking at a low temperature for longer than usual, which results in tastier and juicier meat

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Delicious shoulder lamb

Lamb shoulders take a while to cook but once done, they are tasty off the bone. Add fluffy dinner rolls, roast potatoes, a  good salad, and you have yourself a meal worthy of a Christmas Eve dinner.

The most delicious shoulder lamb
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The most delicious shoulder lamb

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Easy and quick recipe

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Marinade lamb backstrap

A very lean and soft meat, lamb backstrap is a popular choice. It comes from the center of the lamb's loin and is made up of the eye muscle that runs along the spine. It does well in lamb salads and stir-fries.

The best marinade lamb backstrap recipe

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Lamb is always good! Learn with this easy recipe how to make the best marinade lamb backstrap. Don't miss it!

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Traditional lamb korma

In Indian cuisine, lamb korma can be served with rotis, Basmati rice, or a salad with chickpeas and feta. Try it for your Christmas dinner along with other dishes to cater for all your guests.

Traditional Indian lamb korma recipe

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Korma is a typical North Indian stew and can transport us to a world of spices and intense flavours. This Indian recipe is ideal with basmati rice or naan bread.

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Christmas dinner with pork

Pulled pork

Pulled pork goes well with a variety of dishes. Have it with a classic coleslaw, or an easy corn and tomato one, or with its classic partner, cornbread.  

Easy and delicious recipe for slow-cooked pulled pork
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Easy and delicious recipe for slow-cooked pulled pork

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Pulled Pork with Barbecue Sauce is a classic American dish. This recipe is very simple and can especially be enjoyed for special summer or winter celebrations such as Christmas and New Year's Eve.

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Pork chop Cuban style

Pork chops, a cheesy potato bake, together with a Caprese salad equals a great Christmas dinner meal. If you have left over chops, make tacos or quesadillas.

Pork chop Cuban Style
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Pork chop Cuban Style

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Enjoy the pork chop Cuban style with orange marinade

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Delicious pork roast

Wouldn’t it be great to have a pork roast on your Christmas menu instead of turkey? Add mac and cheese, polenta, a salsa and you’re done.

The most delicious roast pork recipe
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The most delicious roast pork recipe

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Roast pork with loin meat is a perfect dish in any season of the year. The meat is juicy and full of flavour thanks to the sauce in which it is marinated and cooked. The secrets to having the best pork roast are to let the meat soak in the flavour.

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Tasty pork rashers

Pork rashers go well with a potato salad and a good Christmas punch. Include them on your menu and make sure you also have a good Christmas dessert to serve afterwards.

Easy, quick and tasty pork rashers recipe
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Easy, quick and tasty pork rashers recipe

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It's not necessary to go to a fancy restaurant to eat pork rashers. Australians know how easy and quick is to cook them at home. With this recipe, learn how to make tasty pork rashers.

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Baked pork rib with honey mustard

This is a wonderful Christmas eve dinner recipe. Serve your baked ribs with a cool pumpkin salad and enjoy a tasty Christmas meal. 

Easiest roasted baked pork rib with honey-mustard!
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Easiest roasted baked pork rib with honey-mustard!

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Enjoy the most delicious pork rib recipe, really easy and quick!

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Christmas dinner with seafood

Some people at your Christmas eve dinner table may be seafood eaters only, so it is important to also have a Christmas seafood menu. 

Salmon fillets with cheese and spinach

There is nothing like this recipe to serve as your Christmas salmon on the Christmas fish list. It is very tasty and healthy for all. 

How to make salmon fillets with cheese and spinach sauce?
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How to make salmon fillets with cheese and spinach sauce?

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Salmon is one of the favourite fish meals around the world. Also, it's healthy and delicious. With this recipe, learn how to make salmon fillets with cheese and spinach sauce here and enjoy!

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Tasty tuna and salmon tartare with avocado sushi

Another one of those fancy yet easy to make Australian Christmas lunch ideas. Enjoy it and make sure to share the recipe with your dinner guests.

Easy and tasty tuna and salmon tartare with avocado sushi recipe

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Sushi, a typical dish of Japan and world-known, is a rice-based preparation that is usually accompanied by other ingredients, such as raw fish, vegetables and seaweed. Sushi lovers will find amazing this tuna and salmon recipe.

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Ultimate seafood boil

If you are a seafood fan, then this seafood boil should be your go-to for Christmas dishes. With lobster, shrimp, crab and a whole lot of vegetables - it is a meal fit for a festivities.

Ultimate Seafood Boil
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Ultimate Seafood Boil

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This seafood boil is the best of the best. Tender lobster, shrimp, crab, tons of veggies and a delicious creole garlic seasoning, you'll make the whole party happy with this easy recipe!

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Baked oysters chowder in a shell

Oysters are the perfect source for copper, zinc, vitamin D, and manganese - very important micronutrients for bone density, especially when coupled with calcium. So, this would be a great Christmas dinner for all the ladies at your party as science says oysters protect against bone loss and osteoporosis.

Baked Oysters Chowder in a Shell

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A classic baked oyster recipe from Jennifer Puccio, executive chef of Marlowe, The Cavalier, and Park Tavern in San Francisco.

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Seafood gumbo

A seafood gumbo is a one-pot dish. Though it takes a while to cook, the flavour is just amazing. Serve it with rice, a simple green salad or potato salad, if you will. 

How To Make Perfect Gumbo
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How To Make Perfect Gumbo

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If you’re looking for an authentic Creole-Cajun meal, a warm bowl of gumbo is the perfect way to taste what the cuisine has to offer. This seafood filé gumbo recipe will be in your family for generations to come.

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Christmas dinner with beef

Slow cooked steak Diane casserole

If you are not a fan of poultry (chicken, duck, or turkey) or seafood - beef will serve you well. This slow-cooked steak Diane casserole is a make-ahead meal, so you’ll have more time to make other Christmas treats

Simple Slow Cooked Steak Diane Casserole
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Simple Slow Cooked Steak Diane Casserole

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Slow Cooked Steak Diane Casserole - a great make-ahead meal, perfect for feeding a crowd! Cook in the oven, slow cooker or oven.

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The best homemade meatloaf

Meatloaf is the easiest Christmas beef dish you can make. Serve it with jacket potato with sour cream, or delicious riced potatoes

Best Homemade Meatloaf
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Best Homemade Meatloaf

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This is basic yet delicious and a great way to prepare your best meatloaf recipe. It won't be difficult to prepare, and it is rather flavorsome! Then get ready for this.

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Vietnamese shaking beef with filet mignon

This beef dish is flavourful, and it takes just 20mins to prepare. It makes a great meal when served with baked potatoes or a classic Caeser salad

Vietnamese Shaking Beef with Filet Mignon

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The idea for using filet mignon for this classic Vietnamese dish comes from The Slanted Door in San Francisco: cubed, tender beef, stir-fried briefly in a hot pan, before adding the ingredients to form a simple, flavorful sauce. Serve shaking beef on a bed of watercress with lime wedges and thinly sliced scallion or red onion.

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Slow cooked beef cheeks in red wine sauce

This slowcooked beef makes for fine dining at home. The meat comes out so tender and succulent - perfect to serve with Thai jasmine rice. Enjoy some chocolate Christmas desserts afterwards.

Healthy Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks in Red Wine Sauce
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Healthy Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks in Red Wine Sauce

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Beef cheeks are the most succulent slow cooking cut of beef. It's way better than chuck, and even better than short ribs! The rich red wine sauce is made for this meltingly tender cut of beef. It's fine dining food - made at home!

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Slow cooker beef stroganoff with mushroom

Beef stroganoff is always extra delicious when you add mushrooms to it, and this dish does exactly that. Serve your stroganoff with egg noodles, focaccia bread or cauliflower cheese.

Delicious Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms
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Vegetarian Christmas dinner menu

The best part about a vegetarian Christmas dinner menu is that it is easy to prepare and doesn't require too many ingredients. It is also a great way of incorporating vegetables into the diet. For a first course, try roasted butternut squash or pumpkin soup. It makes a great Christmas soup.

Go on to a nice crunchy salad with nuts like pumpkin and pine nut salad. For dessert, go for these vegan banana choc-chip muffins.

Here are more options for Vegan Christmas recipes.

Spinach quiche with mushrooms and tomatoes

This is one of the simplest Christmas quiches you can quickly make and serve immediately, even for an unplanned Christmas brunch. It is quite flavoursome and filling.

Vegetarian spinach quiche with mushrooms and cherry tomatoes recipe

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Learn how to make this amazing spinach quiche. The recipe is easy and adds mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, increasing the flavour and richness. It's a vegetarian dish full of surprises!

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Spaghetti with roasted vegetables, pine nuts and olives

If you want to serve healthy Christmas recipes, this is one of them. It will be enjoyed by non-vegetarians alike, so make lots of it for your Christmas dinner.

Spaghetti With Roasted Vegetables, Pine Nuts, and Olives

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For this healthy spaghetti recipe, roasted red onion, zucchini, yellow squash, and red bell pepper combine with toasted pine nuts and chopped black olives.

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Healthy gluten-free spinach pasta

It may be green, but it is quite tasty. The spinach adds a bit of touch to make the pasta more healthy. It is great for celiacs and a perfect gluten-free Christmas meal.  

Healthy and gluten-free spinach pasta recipe
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Healthy and gluten-free spinach pasta recipe

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This gluten-free spinach recipe makes possible for celiac people to eat one of the most loved Italian dishes. Spinach gives it a healthy touch. Try it at home!

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Mushroom, spinach and parmesan crepes

Ever Googled Christmas breakfast ideas Australia? Crepes make the list. And this mushroom, spinach and parmesan crepes recipe is sure to impress. It is yummy, it is satiating. 

Mushroom, Spinach, and Parmesan Crêpes

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This classic recipe for savory mushroom, spinach, and Parmesan crêpes is perfect for an elegant brunch, lunch, or light vegetarian supper. Game Plan: You’ll need to make the batter for Basic Crêpes before you begin.

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Easy vegetarian and vegan sushi

Hosting a fine-dinning Christmas dinner? Then serve your guests this easy vegetarian and vegan sushi as a vegetarian Christmas starter

Easy vegetarian and vegan sushi recipe
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Easy vegetarian and vegan sushi recipe

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Sushi is a famous Japanese dish distinguished by the use of different types of seafood. However, it is also possible to find vegetarian options that are delicious and do not lose the authenticity of the food. This recipe is easy, tasty and vegan-friendly.

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Vegan poke bowl

This poke bowl makes a vibrant lunch or dinner that can be drizzled with an amazing but basic wasabi mayo sauce to make it even more flavourful. Enjoy it with friends and family at your Chrismas feast.

Homemade Vegan Poke Bowl

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This poke bowl is both healthy and tasty! Prepared with soft tofu, white rice, avocado, black sesame seeds, and other delectable ingredients is the perfect mix to combine flavour and wellness!

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The best vegetable ratatouille

In general, ratatouille can be served as a main course, a side dish, a pasta sauce, over rice, or even just by itself with some crusty French bread.

The best vegetable ratatouile in the world

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Honestly, I also thought that food composed only of vegetables could not be as good as having meat on a plate, but the opposite is true. Ratatouille has become one of the dishes that I will cook regularly.

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Pumpkin hummus

Pumpkin hummus is very healthy and it makes a great appetizer. Serve it with pretzels, roasted vegetables like asparagus, or sliced apples. 

Quick and easy pumpkin hummus recipe for Halloween party
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Quick and easy pumpkin hummus recipe for Halloween party

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Looking for Halloween-inspired recipes? Here is a quick pumpkin hummus recipe to make your Halloween party special. The best part is this versatile hummus can be paired with various appetizers!

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Healthy mango and carrot salad

This is a healthy Christmas salad that you will do well to include on your Christmas menu. It is one that even non-vegans will appreciate and enjoy. 

Healthy mango and carrot salad recipe
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Healthy mango and carrot salad recipe

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This recipe teaches how to make a healthy mango and carrot salad. It's delicious and very easy to prepare. Don't miss it!

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Chickpea salad with lemon and dill

A simple, quick, yet filling salad that can be enjoyed any time of day. Enjoy a thermomix Christmas treat afterwards or a good Christmas cheesecake to complete your meal. 

Easy Chickpea Salad with Lemon and Dill
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Easy Chickpea Salad with Lemon and Dill

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his easy chickpea salad is one of our favorite salads. I love how quick and simple it is. Eat this straight out of the bowl or use it to top salad greens. We love the combination of lemon and dill, but the salad is just as delicious with other fresh herbs

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